From "Notes on the Parish of Mylor", published by Hugh Pengelly Olivey 1907

Beware, Ongoing work - This is First Draft Only and like to contain typographic errors

Section IIX

The Vicarage House-Old and New ; Old Terrier ; Tithes ; Old Church Town.

THE VICARAGE HOUSE.

THE ground of the churchyard forms a steep declivity, at the head of which formerly stood an old thatched house, the residence of the vicars of Mylor; but as it was found to be in a very decayed state on the collation of the Rev. Edward Hoblyn (see below), in the year 1823, he removed it, and built a commodious vicarage to accommodate an increasing family, on more elevated ground and commanding a picturesque view. A large expanse of water extends itself in front, four miles by two, which is constantly enlivened by passing steamboats, boats engaged in the oyster fishery, yachts, and ships of various burden, bringing their cargoes to the quays of Truro, or to the wharfs of the neighbouring creeks. Beyond is seen St. Just-in-Rosland ; on the north the mouth of the river Fal, the house and grounds of Trelissick, and, in the farther distance, the woods of Tregothnan. Just below, on the south, is a narrow valley, planted with fir and other trees, where the Admiralty have a reservoir and their dockyard and quay, covering altogether about fifteen acres. The summit is crowned by Trefusis Grove. Altogether it is most charmingly situated.

The Rev. Edward Hoblyn was born 22nd April, 1782, at Gwennap Vicarage, his father, the Rev. Robert Hoblyn, being curate there. Robert Hoblyn married Mary, his first cousin, daughter of Hugh Mallet of Milbrook, and had a family of nine children, of which Edward was the fourth, Robert and two sisters being before him. Robert died at twenty-five, and these two sisters died young. Edward then became the heir. When Edward was quite young his father came into possession of the Nanswhydon property, which had been in the family 350 years. During the time Edward was at college the house at Nanswhydon was burnt down (30th Nov., 1803). He took his degree in 1804. His father being averse to his entering the church, he cut off the entail, and left his property to a younger son. He was ordained deacon in 1808 by the bishop of Winchester, priest in 180g by the bishop of Rochester. Held the curacies of Tudeley and Capel in Kent ; St. Mary's, Queen's Square, Bath ; Ilminster, Somerset ; Lamerton, Devon ; Mary Tavy, Devon ; Liskeard, Cornwall. Was presented to Mylor and Mabe⁽¹⁾ by Bishop Carey, of Exeter, in 1823, and died on 8th February, 1868, aged 85, having held the living forty-five years. He married Mary, daughter of Richard Parker, surgeon, and had a family of twelve children.

OLD TERRIER.

Giving an account of goods, etc., belonging to the church in 1745.

     There is an interesting old Terrier, dated 13th July, 1745, in which the vicarage house and glebe are described, and which also refers to the gift of the Bolesco fields or Blises. This is extracted from the principal registry of the Lord Bishop of Exeter, signed Ralph Barnes, Dep. Registrar.
     The vicarage house is built of stone, and covered partly with slate and partly with thatch, and contains a parlor, hall, kitchen, dairy, and two cellars. The parlor and hall are floored with deals, and are about 12ft. square. The outhouses are a barn, and stable of 14ft. square.
     "The glebe consisteth of about eight acres, and is divided into five arable fields, one meadow, one orchard, and one garden. One of the fields is bounded on the north by the sea, and is continuous to the highway leading from the church to Mylor
bridge, containing one acre and half of ground ; the rest of the glebe lies adjoining to the house on the west side of the homestall, and is bounded on the north by the highway leading from Mylor church to Flushing, on the west by an estate called Trenoweth, on the south by the lands of the late Sir Peter Killigrew, and on the east by the churchyard. The number of ash, elm, and sycamore trees on the glebe is about forty.
     "An augmentation of one field, called Blises, about four acres, was made to the glebe, and given to the vicars of Mylor for ever, by the last will of Richard Bonython, Esq., which field is now divided into two, is bounded on all sides with the lands of the late Sir Peter Killigrew, and hath the right of way to it leading from the Flushing road aforesaid, through a lane and two fields belonging to an estate called Nanhidon, on payment of an acknowledgment of twopence a year for the same to the heirs of the aforesaid Sir Peter Killigrew.
     "We have three bells. A silver cup of a large and one of a smaller size for the Holy Communion, with covers belonging to each, a large dish and a smaller salver for the sacramental bread, both of silver. A cloth of scarlet plush for the communion table. A pulpit cloth and cushion each of crimson velvet and trimmed with gold, and two cloths of fine linnen for the Lord's table. The roofe of our church and gallery (Mr. Kemp's ile excepted) are boarded on the inside with deals. The churchyard fences are repaired by the parishioners.
     " The clerk's wages are forty shillings a year, the sexton's twenty, paid by the parishioners ; the present clerk was appointed by the present vicar, att the request of the parishioners, in the year one thousand seven hundred and forty one. That the above is a true and perfect Terrier of ye parish of Mylor in ye county of Cornwall, is attested by us this 13th day of July, 1 745.

George Turner, Vicar.
Thos. Polkinghorne
Henry Sholl Churchwardens.

Edward Laurence.
Richd. Bamfield.
John Nankivell.
Richd. Tressidder.
Benj. Banfield.
John Taylder."

TITHES.

Probably few measures have ever had a more satisfactory effect in healing heartburnings and averting strife than the act for the commutation of tithes. Before the act was passed, it was said there was scarcely a parish in the kingdom in which the amount of tithes was not a frequent occasion of disputes and unpleasantness, and in most instances the parson was habitually receiving less than his legal due. On this account, the following correspondence showing the arrangements relating to tithe will be of some interest.

In March, 1825, a correspondence took place between the vicar, the Rev. Edward Hoblyn, and his parishioners, on the subject of an augmentation of the tithe composition. This was about the second year after his induction, and some years before the passing of the " Tithe Commutation Act," which came into operation in 1836.

The vicar's letter is as follows

" The vicar of Mylor desires to submit to the consideration of his Parishioners the propriety of augmenting the composition for the vicarial tithes, which for a number of years past has not exceeded the low sum of one shilling in the pound on the actual rent, and now that the value of produce has so much increased it must be deemed just that the vicarial tenth should make a return bearing some proportion to the other nine-tenths. The vicar is not earnest to exact the utmost value of his tenth part of certain produce of the land, but will be content to yield up his just demand, and to accept a fair composition.

" As many of the Parishioners appear to be unacquainted with what things are liable to pay tithe, the several particulars of things titheable are here specified, viz. - of things titheable vicarial:

" Small tithes-Pig, Goose, Honey.

"In order to come to a fair composition let each occupier of a farm calculate the article of milk only ; for instance a Cow is milked twice a day for at least 8 months in the year. The two meals of milk put together cannot be worth less than 6d. a day one day with another for 8 m. In 8 m. there are twenty four tenth days when the whole produce of the Cow belongs to the vicar ; therefore the tenth produce of the milk of one Cow for 8 m. will be equal to 12/- Let it here be noted that Profit or Loss is not to be taken into the account ; for tithes respect the produce merely.

" Besides the Agistment Tithe of one Cow for the remaining four months, (her keep being estimated at 2/6 a week or i0/- a month) will make 4/- more to be added to the former sum of 12/making the whole tenth value of a Cow 16/- a year ; in this sum the value of the Calf is not taken.

" Thus in many instances in the P. of Mylor as respects the old composition the sum usually paid has been barely the amount of the value of the article of milk alone and the vicar has had no profit or use of his tenth part of other articles titheable.

" The actual tenth part of a pound is 2/- and Mabe Parish actually pays 2/- in the pound according to the actual value or supposed rents.

" The vicar therefore trusts that the Parishioners of Mylor will consider themselves treated liberally when he proposes to them that at and after Michaelmas day next they pay him a tithe composition of 1/6 in the pound according to the actual rent of estates rented and the actual value of estates occupied by proprietors for farms generally ; and 2/in the pound for meadow land according to the distinction which has existed heretofore.

" Should the vicar's present proposal be acceded to by his Parishioners he does not anticipate on his part any further advance at any future time." The parishioners' answer

The vestry having respectfully considered the proposition submitted by the Rev. E. H. for the composition of the vicarial tithes beg leave to submit that Mylor stands on a different footing with the neighbouring Parishes, viz. Budock, Gluvius and Mabe. Those being in general grazing Parishes and Mylor a corn one :-We therefore consider that 1 /3 in the pound on actual rents will be a just and fair equivalent on arable estates.

" D. Dundas, John Rowe, Thos. Goodfellow, Nicholas Bell, Robert Louttit, Nicholas Goodfellow, Stephen Doble, Willm. Pellow, John Allen, Robert Rundle, Chas. Goodfellow, Alexr. Dinnis, William Carvosso, John Lowes, Bartholomew Lawrence, Benj n . Lawrence.

" It is understood that the above proposition includes all vicarial tithes.

D. DUNDAS."

The vicar again writes:
The vicar respectfully acknowledges having received through Mr. Doble the answer of the Parishioners of Mylor to his proposition for an increase of the composition for the vicarial tithes wherein they have declined acceding to his proposal of paying 1/6 in the pound for certain reasons therein stated and have on their part made a proposal of paying him I/3 in the pound upon their actual rents.

"The vicar therefore being desirous of entering into a fair and honest composition with his Parishioners and admitting their objection to his proposal as not unreasonable at the present time, that Mylor Parish is mostly arable land, hereby states his acceptance of their proposal ; namely he consents to receive I/3 in the pound upon the actual rent of renters of farms and the actual value of farms occupied by proprietors ; the amount of actual rent upon every farm to be certified by the production of the lease, and the actual value of farms not rented but occupied by proprietors to be determined by arbitration.

"And in every case where any renter or proprietor now entering into composition shall refuse to exhibit his lease for inspection, when called upon to do so, or shall refuse to agree to an arbitration, then the sum of 1/6 in the pound will be demanded as a composition to be paid by such person to the vicar, according to the affirmed or reputed rent or value which regulated the former payment and the same will be demanded upon the actual rent or value whenever it shall be ascertained.

" The vicar further states that it is not his intention to call on any party now compounding and exhibiting his lease, or consenting to an arbitration, for any arrears which may hence appear upon former payments or where the actual rent shall be found to exceed the affirmed rent as formerly specified and which regulated former payments.

" And also that occupiers of meadow or dairy lands shall pay the sum of 2/- in the pound upon their actual rent which shall be certified by the production of their lease.

"That the composition herein specified and now agreed upon between the respective parties shall include all vicarial tithes.

"That the small tithe of pig, goose and honey shall continue to be paid distinct from the vicarial tithe as heretofore.

" And that the yearly composition now hereby entered into between the vicar and Parishioners shall become due and payable at and upon Michaelmas day in each year, and the first payment shall be due and payable at and upon Michaelmas day next ensuing A.D. 1826.

                                                 EDWARD HOBLYN.
November 1825."

This arrangement doubtless continued until the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 came into operation, under which the value of the tithe rent charge was fixed according to the price of corn in each year, and based on an average of the last seven years. Since that time it has undergone many changes, and the value of the £i00 tithe rent charge is now worth only £67, a reduction therefore of the vicar's income from that source of about thirty-three per cent. For the first fifty years it averaged £IO2 9s. 9 1/2 d., and for the seven years to 1902, £68 5s. 0d.

Fortunately for Mylor this serious reduction has been to some extent met by other grants to the living.

GRANTS TO THE LIVING.

In August, 1886, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners made a grant of £40 per annum in augmentation of Mylor vicarage. In May, 1896, they made a further grant Of £44 per annum, and at the same time granted a sum of £41  10s. to be applied in discharging a debt to the governors of Queen Ann's Bounty, due on a mortgage for a sum borrowed in 1869 for repairing the parsonage house. In May, 1902, a further grant of £16 per annum was made by the commissioners.

TITHE COMMUTATION ACT OF 1836.

In relation to the apportionment under this act, the following documents appear in an old book, and are interesting in several respects.
" 14th Dec. 1839. In estimating small Tithe Carclew is covered from the render of small Tithe and tithe of hay by a prescription or customary payment of 6/8 per annum, the measurement of the lands so affected is 395 acres. The estimated quantity in the parish subject to tithe is 2663a. 1 r. 35p. the whole arable.
"Stephen Doble owner of all the corn and grain tithes except a part of the Cregoes and except the glebe.
" The Vicar entitled to all the other tithes and also the corn and grain tithes from the land called part of Cregoes.
" The sum awarded tithe rent charge to Mr. Doble £350.
"To the Vicar £215 and also for corn and grain of a part called Cregoes."

On the subject of " Cregoes " the following note appears:
" And whereas the sd S. D. is owner of all the corn and grain tithes except those arising from lands called a part of Cregoes and except those arising from the glebe lands and that the vicar is also entitled to all other tithes and also to the corn and grain tithes arising from lands called part of Cregoes. And whereas I⁽²⁾ find that the tithes both great and small arising from the glebe lands have been duly merged in the sd lands and such merger has been duly confirmed.

" The annual sum of £350 to be paid to the impropriator and £215 to the vicar instead of all other tithes and also instead of the corn and grain tithes of the land called part of Cregoes."

There was found to be an error in this award and a supplementary award was made 9th August, 1842. It was then found that Stephen Doble was not the sole owner, but holds a lease from Lord Clinton of certain portions, and in estimating the value of such tithes the value arising from the Barton of Trefusis (except the Cregoes) containing 331a- 3p• was omitted. The tithe was increased by adding the value of such barton (except the Cregoes). And that Lord Clinton is impropriator of all the tithes of corn and grain (except a part of Cregoes and the glebe). And that S. D. had a lease of all (except of such as arise from certain portions) part of the said barton now occupied by Jonathan Nicholls, and he holds a lease of that portion occupied by him, 31a. 1 r. 1 7p. Instead Of £350 to be £403 and £2 to be paid to Jonathan Nicholls.

Gross rent charge f 620.                To the vicar £215

Lord Clinton and                         } S. Doble     £403

his Lessees                                  } J. Nicholls     £ 2

                                                                       £620

In relation to the tithe due from Carclew the following occurs:
" Mem : Joseph Bird an old man of this Parish states that the two Bolisco fields⁽³⁾ were given to the vicarage of Mylor when Mr. Turner was vicar by Madam Kemp who then resided at Carclew. These fields, together with 6/8 in annual money, possibly made the modus.
" Mem : Lord Wodehouse demands 6d. a year for high rent on these fields.
E. H. Vicar."

CHURCH TOWN, OLD AND NEW.

In the grant of Glasney College to the vicarage of Mylor they assigned " a messuage adjoining the cemetery of the church with land measuring at least ten acres." This was the original glebe.

The same grant continues: "Also the garb tithe of Kerygou " (now the Cregoes).

There is much of interest in this, as it appears to connect this spot with what was the Old Mylor Church Town.

The following note is made by the Rev. J. W. Murray
" Former residence of the Vicars of Mylor in the Cregoes. I have frequently heard John Tregenza, late Parish Sexton (Father of the present Sexton) say that his Grandmother lived in a house on that part of Trefusis called Cragoes and that the minister of the Parish lodged with her. The spot pointed out to me by John Tregenza was near the watering in the field now called Middle Cragoes.
Signed W. H. THOMAS-Parish Clerk." Mylor, Oct. 1873

In Cornwall the buildings near the church, whether mean huts or spacious houses, whether a little hamlet or small village, are commonly called the Church Town, and this is the name given to it here, although the residents are very few. It misses, however, the accompaniment of an inn, which is usual in most church towns, although one formerly existed, and the overseers' accounts Show that in cases of funerals, etc., certain sums were Spent at some such house in "refreshments."⁽⁴⁾ The houses are usually built of cob or earth mixed with straw, and thatched with reed.

The old vicarage house which existed before the present one was built by the Rev. Edward Hoblyn in 1823, was chiefly so thatched.

There is great Significance in the church and town being situated at one end of the parish and so near the sea, as is also the case at St. Just, on the opposite Side of the river. The early settlers would have found it a convenient place for landing and making a settlement, and then working inwards (a practice which is observed by us in the present day in our foreign settlements) besides, being convenient for fishing, on which they to a great extent depended.

The Old Church Town already alluded to, was nearer to Trefusis and Pencarrow Point, and the following has a direct bearing on the Subject:
"On the Mylor Shore on Trefusis is a point called the Tarra Point, otherwise known as Tentarra, Pentarra or Penarrow. This is the SouthWest boundary of the Port of Truro, the opposite boundary being that of Messack Point in St. Just. These points are periodically visited (about every sixth year) by the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of Truro to assert their right of jurisdiction over the River to these points, which was confirmed to them by a Royal commission in the Reign of Queen Anne. A marked stone T. B. (Truro boundary) is on each point, which on these occasions is renewed and re-cut, together with other ceremonials, including a mock arrest within their jurisdiction. There have been from time to time disputes with Falmouth as to the precise boundary. The Falmouth corporation appear to have been misled by the term of a line drawn to Messack Point from Mylor Church Town. The ancient Mylor Church Town Stood on the top of the hill some considerable distance S.E. of Mylor Church, and its North end is easily identified by living evidence, although all the buildings have been razed and no Mylor Church Town now exists on this spot."

This Spot was called the Cregoes, which in ancient Cornish means the barrows or burial places. Near here is also a tenement called Trenoweth Kestle (or castle), and when this name occurs in any Cornish place it is always Suggestive of some encampment or fortification; and close by again is Trefusis, which means the walled or entrenched town. If it is true, as Mr. Polwhele suggests, that " the site of our churches was that of pagan temples and here too were encampments since the ancients used to form their entrenchments near their temples," we have here a good deal of evidence of its antiquity. (See also Appendix A).

The old map of the harbour, with the river⁽⁵⁾, and creeks, which I am able to reproduce, is of much interest. The original from which this is taken is pasted in an old register, and was given to the Rev. J. W. Murray by the late Capt. Worth of Truro. Maps of various harbours, including Falmouth harbour, were made in 1575, 1576, 1577, about the time of the threatened Spanish Armada, by order of Lord Burghley. This map probably does not date so far back as that, but it shows Falmouth as being very small and Flushing much more extensive. It was also made when Swan Pool was open to the sea, and not enclosed by a bar as at present.

Its particular value to us is that it shows the position of the Old Mylor Church Town, (the Cregoes) and, by a very fine line from Mylor Point to Messack Point, appears to settle the question in dispute between the corporations of Falmouth and Truro as to their respective limits of jurisdiction. The map was also published before the Admiralty had purchased the dockyard premises, as it shows nothing of the pier or other buildings. This property was purchased about one hundred and thirty years ago. It gives the sand-banks and depths of water in the river and harbour.

In reference to the boundary on the river the following " memo " is found in one of the old register books

" Boundary stone marked F. B. erected against the sea wall at E. end of Government ground (accepted now by the P. of Mylor) between 4 and 6 p.m. as it is supposed, on Monday, July 11th, 1870, by the authorities of Falmouth."

The Falmouth authorities appear to have put up this as their boundary without consulting those at Truro, which led to an enquiry on August 29th, 1872, by a committee of the Truro corporation with their surveyor and assistants. They carefully surveyed the position of the old boundary marks and compared them with the description of the limits of the port set out by the commissioners appointed by Queen Anne in 1704, and found they were in exact conformity with the limits given by those commissioners, especially that the Tarra Point, otherwise known as Tentarra, Pentarra, or Penarrow, was the s.w. boundary of the port of Truro.

I have been favoured by Mr. Polkinhorne of Truro with a view of an old map in his possession very similar to the one I now reproduce, but much less extensive in area and with less detail. It has on it the same Pendennis and Helford entrances, and on the back, after a dedication to Sir Peter Killigrew is a description : " Maps of the sea coast of England and Scotland by Greville Collins, R.N. Charles II, 1682. His most gracious majesty Charles II who was a great lover of the art of navigation finding there were no charts or maps but what were Dutch or copies from them, for the better improvement of navigation was pleased in the year 1682 to give me the command of a yacht for the making of this survey. I spent seven years thereon." Then follows a long article of instructions to seamen how to navigate the said harbours.

(1) Mabe was a chapel dependent on Mylor, the mother church, and there was never any institution to it until recently (1868) when it became a distinct vicarage. This was on the appointment of the Rev. J. W. Murray to Mylor, who succeeded the Rev. E. Hoblyn. Registry of the diocese of Exeter, order in council 22 Feb. 1848 (see Gazette). Abolition of peculiar and exempt jurisdiction in the diocese of Exeter takes effect on 14 March, 1848. On which day Mylor and Mabe ceased to be bishop's peculiar

(2) This refers to the official.

(3) See old Terrier, in which the gift of these fields is mentioned by will of Richard Bonython (p. 103). Also see extract from his will, Appendix B, in which no mention is made of any modus relating to tithe, nor can any be traced.

(4) I have since been informed by Mr. Thomas that the house he now occupies was an inn, called " The Clinton Arms." The last occupier was Mary Ann Quarme, who left it in March, 1840. Mr. Hoblyn induced the magistrates to refuse the licence because the people went there in preference to going to church.

(5) Hals says of this beautiful river and its branches: " all which members or branches of this noble harbour are overlooked by pleasant hills and vales of land, and within the memory of man abounding with flourishing woods and groves of timber." And before this, Leland in his Itinerary tells us, "that in his time the River Vale was encompassed about with the loftiest woods, oaks and timber trees that this kingdom afforded (temp. Hen. VII) and was therefore called by the Romans Cassiter, i.e. Woodland." The woods are said to have disappeared by being used in the mines and for smelting and other purposes connected with them.

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